Hart Energy Publishing LP is organizing the event where executives from leading operators in the Marcellus Shale regions of Western Pennsylvania and bordering states will discuss their drilling programs.

Originally, a few hundred people were expected. But registration has grown to more than 1,300 registrants, the VisitPittsburgh tourism agency said Thursday.

The unexpected interest in the conference demanded a change in venue. I'm curious as to why the hosts were unable to anticipate how many people would come. It's almost an order of magnitude bigger. Does the regional industry leadership understand how big this play is?